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Journalism

Please note that new student recruitment to this course has been suspended for the September 2019 intake while we review our postgraduate provision. Information on programmes available for 2020 entry will be published in due course.

About this course

This exciting and unique Master's degree, accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), and co-designed by UWE academics and BBC journalists offers a practice-based, multi-media approach to news, current affairs and investigative journalism.

We aim to produce graduates with skills and understanding suitable for entry level posts in all aspects of multi-media journalism content production including print, broadcast and web media.

Why study this course?

You will develop storytelling skills and learn how to make intelligent and surprising programmes that will captivate and engage audiences in a highly competitive broadcast landscape. You have a rare and unique opportunity to be matched with a BBC mentor who, alongside your tutor, will guide you through the production of a final major project.

You will study in a highly professional and creative environment with access to state-of-the-art, industry-standard facilities with a rolling programme of guest lecturers, industry speakers and live collaborative projects which under-pin the real-world knowledge and entrepreneurial skills required to succeed in your career.

The course is based at Bower Ashton Campus, part of City Campus, where exceptional facilities and resources include state-of-the-art digital media, production and fabrication workshops offer a combination of traditional tools and the latest technology.

Bristol is a vibrant and innovative media hub with the highest concentration of creative industries outside London. We work closely with a wide range of news and current affairs partners including Bristol's own television station Made in Bristol, the Bristol Post, Ujima Radio and creative and cultural partners, including the Pervasive Media Studio based at Watershed cinema and digital creativity centre.

We welcome recent graduates, media professionals wishing to update their investigative, writing and critical analysis skills, and those from other professions seeking a career change. Applicants must have previous journalism/writing experience and be able to demonstrate a passion to produce fair and accurate journalism that has impact.

Developing ready and able graduates

You will concentrate on future-focussed journalism informed by industry as well as opportunities to apply practical journalistic skills through live briefs and regular 'news days' which replicate professional industry. There are opportunities to gain work experience in local, national or international media outlets and explore real stories on the streets of Bristol and in the wider South West region.

Our unique partnership with the BBC offers a valuable mentoring scheme, providing support and guidance with your journalism practice and advice on your future career.

Watch: The learning and teaching experience

Accreditations and partnerships:

Content

The full Master's course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

Journalism Writing - a practice-based module designed to introduce you to, or develop, your journalistic skills, and to encourage reflection about how journalists operate. You will discuss the purpose of journalism and the conventions of the news media, develop a critical awareness of target audiences, and increase your competence of editorial software applications.

Media Law and Ethics 1 - this module provides an introduction to the concepts of ethics, law, broadcast regulation and press freedom and provides an opportunity for students to explore the impact of the reporting of crime and the justice system. During the first semester students will attend and report on court hearings and visit Bristol Law Society.

Multi-media Journalism 1 - during this module you will operate as a multimedia journalist in the field, studio and newsroom, putting into practice, and reflecting on, your own journalistic judgement, news sense, skills and knowledge. News days allow you to practice news reporting in a fully equipped multimedia newsroom, working as part of a team, prioritising the news agenda, researching, monitoring, news gathering and producing news for radio and online platforms.

Investigative Journalism - this module will enable you to assess, construct, pitch and refine an investigative research proposal in relation to audience and platform. You will carry out focused research using a wide range of methods, databases and sources within accepted legal and ethical constraints.

Media Law and Ethics 2 - in this module you will examine some of the current debates about accountability, transparency and regulation, and some of the practical challenges which journalists face in their everyday work. During the second semester there will be an opportunity to visit the Palace of Westminster and to take part in a Question Time with local MPs.

Multi-media Journalism 2 - this module provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills as a multimedia journalist in the field, studio and newsroom, putting into practice, and reflecting on, your own journalistic judgement, news sense, skills and knowledge. News days will allow you to practice news reporting in a fully equipped multimedia newsroom, working as part of a team to research, monitor, gather and produce news for TV and online platforms.

Production portfolio - this bespoke and largely self-directed module is an extended production module where you will undertake your own final project reflecting your skills and understanding of journalism content and production, supported by tutorials and sessions with your industry mentor to shape and layer your final narrative. It is expected that your final project will be of professional standard and be a portfolio piece for prospective employers.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical projects and workshops. You are expected to read widely and to critically appraise current journalistic practice. Regular guest speakers from industry will help support your learning and maintain current thinking and up-to-date developments in the profession.

Assessment

Professional accreditation

The course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council which offers valuable training, work placements, access to networking events and prepares you for work in an industry newsroom. The BJTC represents a benchmark for best practice and ensures that graduates are more employable and arrive in the jobs market with the skills and knowledge that an ever wider range of employers will value highly.

Placements

You are required to gain industry experience in print, radio, TV or in multimedia journalism as part of the Production Portfolio module. Past placements have included BBC Points West, Ujima Radio, BBC Radio Wiltshire, Bristol Post, a Guardian Internship, and posts within the university's own radio station, Hub Radio and UWE student newspaper, The Western Eye.

These placements develop vital skills and allow you apply your knowledge gained to real world situations.

Fieldwork

We have a wide range of study visits including Parliament, a law centre and the Watershed in Bristol. You are also expected to be out in the field producing journalistic material on a regular basis.

Study facilities

Our new media studios on the Bower Ashton Campus incorporate the latest industry-standard equipment and technology to support studies in broadcast journalism, filmmaking and creative media. Facilities include a live newsroom, TV and radio studios with access to state-of-the-art cameras, software, audio and visual recording equipment and mobile journalism technology to allow you to report live from events and news features.

Studying at Bower Ashton offers an excellent base for students within the exciting City Campus that connects teaching and learning with some of the best creative and cultural organisations in Bristol. Bower Ashton houses the main library supporting the creative and cultural industries, student support services, as well as the extensive resource base that make up the technical resource areas. You will also have the opportunity of studying and accessing facilities at other sites within City Campus. This may include attending lectures, including guest lectures, and seminars at Arnolfini and Watershed in Bristol City Centre.

Industry links

Journalism at UWE has been developed in partnership with the BBC which also provides work placements, internships, guest speakers and mentors.

The UWE journalism department is also working with Made in Bristol the new local TV news channel, offering internships to and featuring material made by UWE journalism students.

Bristol is a vibrant media city with many opportunities for work experience with the local papers, like the Bristol Post and the Somerset Live. As well as new initiatives with the Bristol24-7,Filton Voice and Bishopston Voice to which UWE Journalism students contribute, alongside local radio stations including BCfm and Ujima Radio and the MediaWise Trust - an independent charity with an international reputation for its work on journalism ethics and media regulation. The Trust offers work experience and international placements.

Showcase your work

Careers / Further study

This popular practice-based postgraduate course offers graduates a pathway into a variety of careers in the mainstream print and broadcast media, in publishing, media production, public relations and marketing, and among non-governmental organisations.

The course encourages an entrepreneurial approach which opens the way to self-start media ventures and develops a range of skills appropriate to a number of careers.

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.

Supplementary fee information

Entry requirements

Applicants should have an honours degree in an arts/media related subject area or equivalent, or relevant professional experience.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview (telephone interviews will be conducted for international applicants).

We accept applications throughout the year. However, as there is a high demand for this course and an interview process, we would recommend that you apply at least one month before the start of the course. The course starts on the third week of September, so applications received close to the start maybe rolled over to the following year.

Please note, we are unable to allow applicants with offers to defer their entry to subsequent years.

English Language Requirement

International applicants will require a minimum IELTS score of 7.0.

How to apply

If you are applying to organisations for funding, they may have application deadlines by which time you will need to know if you have a place on a course. You should build this deadline into your application process and if you are working to a funding deadline then please let us know.